Thanks to a late goal, the second of the game by defenseman Mike Komisarek, Michigan earned a split in its weekend series against Bowling Green, gaining a 3-2 win on Saturday night in Yost Ice Arena in front of 6,526.
A hard-fought game saw the Falcons hold the Wolverines scoreless for over 30 minutes during the second and third periods before Komisarek’s winner.
For the second night in a row, Bowling Green gained the upper hand on the Wolverines. Sophomore Roger Leonard redirected a pass that freshman Steve Brudzewski sent in from the left circle, giving the Falcons a 1-0 advantage at 6:43 in the first period. Leonard’s fifth goal of the year came from the right side of the crease and was also assisted by senior Ryan Wetterberg. It marked the sixth time in the last seven games that BGSU struck first against its opponent.
Komisarek evened the game up, however, at 13:28 of the first period for his seventh goal of the season. UM outshot the Falcons 8-4 in the opening period and both teams went to their locker rooms in a 1-1 tie.
The Wolverines (14-8-5 overall, 11-5-4 CCHA) took their first lead of the weekend early in the second period with a five-on-three power-play goal from Eric Nystrom at 5:10. The two-man UM advantage was created after penalties by Grady Moore (3:11) and Steve Brudzewski (3:56).
However, the Falcons responded. Less than two minutes later, sophomore D’Arcy McConvey notched his sixth goal of the year at 7:04 to knot the game at 2-2. McConvey’s forehander went top shelf past UM goaltender Josh Blackburn for the score. Greg Day and Scott Hewson assisted on the goal.
From there BGSU held strong for the remainder of the second period, thanks to tough team defense and the play of goalie Tyler Masters, who turned away nine shots in the period. UM outshot Bowling Green 10-8 in the second.
For the game, Masters finished with 22 saves and Blackburn had 21.
